Don’t Forget: Mentor-Protege Town Hall Next Week

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Steven Koprince

Join me in Oklahoma City March 26-28 as the Mid-America Government Industry Coalition hosts a town hall event on federal mentor-protege programs.

In the wake of major mentor-protege changes enacted in the National Defense Authorization Act, this event couldn’t be more timely. The program features a diverse panel of subject matter experts from government and industry and will offer plenty of time for questions and networking.

All participants will receive a complimentary copy of my book, The Small Business Guide to Government Contracts. Best of all, tickets to the March 27 NBA showdown between the Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder are available.

Please check out the event’s website and contact MAGIC with any questions. I look forward to seeing you there!

GAO: Proposal Deadline Need Not Be Extended If Solicitation Amended

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Steven Koprince

The GAO has held that the deadline for offerors to submit proposals need not be extended when an agency issues an amendment to the solicitation, unless the failure to extend adversely affects competition or was a deliberate attempt to exclude an offeror.

In a recent GAO bid protest decision, the GAO rejected the protester’s contention that the agency should have extended the proposal deadline to allow offerors more time to respond to two amendments–which were issued three days and one day, respectively, before the proposal due date.

Contractor To Pay $5.65 Million In GSA Price Reduction Clause False Claims Case

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Steven Koprince

A New York government contractor has agreed to pay $5.65 million to resolve claims that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with the Price Reduction Clause in its GSA Schedule contract.

The hefty settlement is a strong reminder that the GSA takes the Price Reduction Clause very seriously, and that failing to abide by the Price Reduction Clause can lead to significant repercussions.

Free Webinar: Teaming Agreements and Joint Venture Agreements

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Steven Koprince

Interested in creating compliant and effective joint venture agreements, teaming agreements, and subcontracts? Join me this Friday, March 15, for a free webinar sponsored by Powering Up! Small Business Teams.

The webinar will cover mandatory provisions to include in joint venture agreements under the 8(a), WOSB and SDVOSB programs, required subcontract “flow downs” and other small business teaming requirements. In addition, we will go beyond the minimum legal requirements and discuss best practices for thorough and effective teaming documents–topics such as dispute resolution, termination, exclusivity, non-disclosure of confidential information, and more.

To register for Friday’s free webinar, or find out more information, visit the webinar’s registration page. And if you’re interested in learning more about the ins and outs of small business teaming, mark your calendar for the upcoming teaming webinars in the Powering Up! webinar series.

False WOSB Self-Certifications Potentially Rampant, Says NASA OIG

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Steven Koprince

False or incorrect women-owned small business self-certifications may be a significant government-wide problem, according to a recent audit report issued by the NASA Office of Inspector General.

The NASA OIG report states that in a study of sampled awards to self-certified WOSBs, 7 out of 20 awardees, or 35 percent, “may not have met the criteria for a woman-owned small business.” Noting that these firms won nearly $75 million in government business in 2010 alone, the NASA OIG has referred its report to the SBA and GAO, concerned about a “potential Government-wide effect of this condition.” Continue reading…